Sheriff says Hilton a suspect in Bryant case

Published: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 10:14 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 9:52 p.m.

BREVARD, N.C. (AP) -- The man charged in the beating death of a hiker in Georgia has become a suspect in a similar case in North Carolina.

Transylvania County Sheriff David Mahoney said in an e-mail Monday that 61-year-old Gary Michael Hilton is being looked at in the death of 84-year-old Irene Bryant and her missing husband, 80-year-old John Bryant. The couple disappeared after going for a hike in Western North Carolina.

Hilton has been charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Meredith Emerson, who disappeared while hiking in the north Georgia mountains. Authorities said Hilton tried to use her credit card.

Like Emerson, Irene Bryant died from a blow to the head and her body was found near a hiking trail.

Authorities are still looking for John Bryant and said he may have been kidnapped to provide a security number for the couple's bank account.

<p>BREVARD, N.C. (AP) -- The man charged in the beating death of a hiker in Georgia has become a suspect in a similar case in North Carolina.</p><p>Transylvania County Sheriff David Mahoney said in an e-mail Monday that 61-year-old Gary Michael Hilton is being looked at in the death of 84-year-old Irene Bryant and her missing husband, 80-year-old John Bryant. The couple disappeared after going for a hike in Western North Carolina.</p><p>Hilton has been charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Meredith Emerson, who disappeared while hiking in the north Georgia mountains. Authorities said Hilton tried to use her credit card.</p><p>Like Emerson, Irene Bryant died from a blow to the head and her body was found near a hiking trail.</p><p>Authorities are still looking for John Bryant and said he may have been kidnapped to provide a security number for the couple's bank account.</p>